Washington Governor Bob Ferguson is reportedly not happy with Microsoft. According to a report by GeekWire, Ferguson took aim at Microsoft over a political action committee’s ad campaign criticizing the State government, speaking during what was intended to be an off-the-record business summit. Leaked audio obtained from the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce’s Regional Leadership Conference at the Suncadia resort shows Ferguson directly challenging the software giant. The audio was originally published by independent state politics newsletter The Washington Observer.At issue is an ad funded by Washington Needs to Compete, a PAC that state campaign finance records show has raised roughly $13.8 million — including over $5 million directly from Microsoft, alongside contributions from CEO Satya Nadella, former CEO Steve Ballmer, and President Brad Smith. Other corporate donors include T-Mobile, F5, Alaska Airlines and Weyerhaeuser.The commercial reportedly targets the State capital, claiming that “Olympia is broken, spending more while you get less,” and features a line that particularly irked the governor: “In Washington, it used to be all you needed was an idea, a dream and the guts to chase it.”
What Microsoft ad says that made Governor ‘upset’
As reported by GeekWire, Microsoft ad opens with a nod to “inventors in garages,” “mom-and-pop shops down Main Street” and farmers “feeding the world,” before declaring, “In Washington, it used to be all you needed was an idea, a dream and the guts to chase it.”Then it turns, says: “But today, Olympia is broken, spending more while you get less.” Jobs are leaving, the ad says, and “it’s harder than ever to afford a home and raise a family.” The ad, however, does not name Ferguson or any legislation. It ends by saying Olympia needs to “quit wasting money, fix what’s broken and put Washington families first.”
What Washington Governor told Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce
According to GeekWire, Ferguson repeated the words “it used to be” in disbelief before pressing the room of business and civic leaders. “What’s up with that?” Ferguson asked. “First, does anyone else in this room believe that? I sure as hell don’t.”Defending the state’s business climate, Ferguson cited PitchBook figures showing Seattle-area startups raised a record $3.5 billion in the third quarter—more than triple the amount from the same period a year earlier.The governor, a former Microsoft attorney who emphasized his respect for the company, voiced frustration that the spot aired during high-profile Seattle Seahawks broadcasts, reaching potential founders and transplants across the country. Records cited by GeekWire show the PAC spent $97,000 on an October 15 broadcast on Prime Video and $130,000 during an October 25 NBC telecast.“If we’re partners, partners should treat partners like partners, right?” Ferguson said, asking the audience to picture the backlash if he launched a multimillion-dollar campaign blasting Microsoft. “You guys would think I lost my mind if I did that.”While conceding that the State faces real hurdles, Ferguson urged the executives present to champion Washington’s strengths alongside its challenges, calling the region “so bloody special.” Ferguson, who assumed office in January 2025, also issued a firm reminder about his political horizon: “I plan on being governor for a long time,” he said, noting he intends to continue working with local business leaders, “Microsoft included.”The Observer reported that Microsoft Olympia representative Michael Mattmiller was present and “kinda-sorta hugged it out afterward” with the governor. The report noted that Mattmiller declined to comment on the newsletter.